So reads the quote outside the area's Adult Education Center, and it is this type of thinking that fuels the activities within.

The center serves both Pope and Yell counties, and, as its mission statement reads, strives to provide a family-oriented learning center that meets the educational needs of the Arkansas River Valley community.

As Young Adult and General Educational Development (GED) instructor Jennifer Fite put it, the center is really about second chances.

"To help people get their GEDs is the main thing," she said when asked about the center's purpose.

"It's a second chance for those who for some reason or another did not finish high school," she added.

Students from all ages, anywhere from 16 to 50 years old, come for the GED courses. She explained the center also offers refresher classes for people who wish to attend higher education institutions, basic computer courses, English as a second language (ESL) courses and Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy (WAGE) training.

The center does not function as a traditional school. Young adults (16- and 17-year-olds) are required to attend class for a certain amount of time during the day, but adults can come when they are able and leave when they need to, Fite said.

The center operates on open enrollment, which means new students can enroll year round, she said. She also explained that each student has a individualized plan to help them meet their particular needs.

All the courses offered at the Adult Education Center are completely free, Fite said. She said Arkansas is one of only three states that currently offer completely free courses.

Director of Adult Education Pat Collins summed it up succinctly.

"Seeing individuals later on ... and they're so excited to tell me what has happened to them since they got their GED. 'I'm in post-secondary training right now,' or 'I've entered the military.'

"They're so proud of the accomplishments they've made via this opportunity ... The students have no idea the joy they bring to us."

According to figures released by the center, 2,447 people attended classes in 2007-08, with 350 advancing at least one grade level and 203 receiving GEDs. Collins recounted the story of one man who completed citizenship classes one day and, so he could participate in the upcoming election, registered to vote the next.

"If that's not cool, I don't know what is," she said.

To celebrate the center's accomplishments and to honor the work it does, Russellville mayor Tyrone Williamson declared Oct. 5-11 Adult Education Week.

"Democracy is based upon an educated citizenry, in which people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds have access to education in order to become self-sufficient, actively participating members of society," the proclamation stated.

The Adult Education Center wishes to invite the public to attend an open house being held from 2-7 p.m. Oct. 16 at its new facility at 510 Green St. in Dardanelle.